By Garcia H.R. No. 878
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The calling to the priesthood is perhaps one of the
1-2 most blessed and rewarding experiences in a man's life; much
1-3 dedication, strength of character, wisdom and gentleness of heart
1-4 are needed to embrace this challenging vocation; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The Rev. James F. McCabe, C.S.P., pastor of St.
1-6 Austin's Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, marks his 40th
1-7 anniversary of joyful service to the Lord as a Roman Catholic
1-8 priest; and
1-9 WHEREAS, The younger of two sons, Father McCabe was born on
1-10 November 1, 1930 to Peter and Anna McCabe in New York City, and
1-11 spent most of his young life in New York State until, upon
1-12 completion of his studies at St. Charles College, in Baltimore,
1-13 Maryland, he took the first steps in answering that unique and
1-14 special calling to the priesthood; and
1-15 WHEREAS, In September, 1950, he entered the novitiate of the
1-16 Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle, better known as the
1-17 Paulist Fathers, an American Roman Catholic order of priests whose
1-18 chief mission of evangelization, reconciliation and ecumenism
1-19 attracted his energetic spirit; and
1-20 WHEREAS, During his formative years with the Paulists, this
1-21 fine young man prospered in his preparation, having completed his
2-1 studies at St. Paul's College in Washington, D.C., and studying,
2-2 growing and discerning; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Throughout his years of study and preparatory work,
2-4 seminarian James F. McCabe's willingness to serve others, his
2-5 wisdom and his pleasant demeanor quickly won the esteem and the
2-6 love of the people he encountered; and
2-7 WHEREAS, On May 11, 1957, now Deacon James F. McCabe, in the
2-8 presence of his family, fellow Paulists and friends, was ordained a
2-9 Roman Catholic priest in the Paulist mother church of St. Paul the
2-10 Apostle in New York City; Father McCabe's first assignment upon
2-11 being ordained to the Order of Presbyter was to journey to San
2-12 Francisco, California and serve as associate of Old St. Mary's
2-13 Church; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Since his ordination, Father McCabe has
2-15 criss-crossed the United States and Canada exercising his ministry
2-16 in various capacities, having served as associate pastor of the
2-17 Paulist Mother Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City; as
2-18 Associate Director of the Paulist Catholic Information Center in
2-19 Baltimore, Maryland, where he conducted classes for inquiring
2-20 on-Catholics, lectured throughout the archdiocese of Baltimore and
2-21 wrote a weekly column in the Catholic Review; as Director of the
2-22 Family Life Division for the Archdiocese of Baltimore where he also
2-23 served in various capacities such as Chairman of the United States
2-24 Catholic Conference Committee on Family Worship and Spirituality;
2-25 as local superior of the Paulist Fathers were he facilitated the
3-1 community life of 10 to 14 Paulists who ranged in age from 25 to 86
3-2 and where he carefully guided the spiritual development the Novices
3-3 and Theology Students under his care; and crossed the border into
3-4 Canada where he served the Catholic Church of Toronto for eight
3-5 years as pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church; and
3-6 WHEREAS, In 1988, he was assigned to his present position as
3-7 Pastor of St. Austin's Catholic Church, to which he brought the
3-8 same tenacity and dedication that were his hallmark in his previous
3-9 assignments; because of Father McCabe's foresight, many much needed
3-10 improvements were brought about in his parish, including: the
3-11 establishment of the St. Austin's Small Christian Communities,
3-12 which allows the parish to let its members develop their
3-13 spirituality in a deeper and smaller setting; the creation of the
3-14 Families with Young Children ministry, to care for the spiritual
3-15 needs of the parish's young families; and the beautification of the
3-16 parish complex grounds, including the addition of a beautiful
3-17 courtyard, the acquisition of the parish office building and the
3-18 remodeling of the church's rectory; and
3-19 WHEREAS, He remains faithful to his primary calling to spread
3-20 the Good News of the Gospel; through his carefully crafted and
3-21 inspirational homilies, his informative catechetical classes, and
3-22 his patient manner with those needing spiritual guidance, and his
3-23 prayerful presence at Mass, Father McCabe has touched the lives of
3-24 many of the people who have come in contact with him; and
3-25 WHEREAS, It was with great sadness that the parishioners of
4-1 St. Austin's learned that this fine priest, having completed his
4-2 tenure at their parish, would soon be transferred to another area
4-3 of the country where the Good News needed to be heard and lived;
4-4 and
4-5 WHEREAS, Although it is with great sorrow that St. Austin's
4-6 watches its beloved pastor leave, it is grateful that, even for a
4-7 short time, it was blessed with his presence, and his time, talent
4-8 and treasure; now, therefore, be it
4-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
4-10 Legislature hereby commend the Reverend James F. McCabe, C.S.P, for
4-11 his outstanding 40 years of service to the Roman Catholic Church,
4-12 and specifically for his seven years of service to the parishioners
4-13 and staff of St. Austin's Catholic Church and wish him many
4-14 blessings and much success as he ventures forth to his new
4-15 assignment; and be it further
4-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-17 prepared for Father McCabe as a token of the highest esteem by the
4-18 Texas House of Representatives.